Vintage WWII bombers to be displayed at Worcester airport

Thursday

Sep 12, 2013 at 5:50 PMSep 12, 2013 at 9:56 PM

By Linda Bock, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WORCESTER — Three restored World War II bombers will wing their way to Worcester Regional Airport from Orange Airport on Friday afternoon, carrying a newly decorated WWII veteran from Athol, local dignitaries, veterans and guests. The three aircraft will then will be available until Sunday for people to tour or even to take a flight aboard

Before taking off from Orange Airport, Bill Purple of Athol is scheduled to receive the French Legion of Honor medal from Fabien Fieschi, consul general of France in Boston. U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, a Worcester Democrat, and state Sen. Stephen M. Brewer, D-Barre, will observe the brief ceremony and then board one of the planes to fly to Worcester. The aircraft is scheduled to touch down between 1:30 and 2 p.m. Friday.

The Wings of Freedom Tour at the Worcester airport will feature the Nine O Nine, a vintage Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress; the Witchcraft, a Consolidated B-24 Liberator, and a North American P-51 Mustang.

Wings of Freedom, sponsored by the Collings Foundation, brings extremely rare bomber and fighter aircraft on a 110-city national tour. This is its third consecutive year in Worcester.

"We're very much looking forward to it," said Hunter Chaney, director of marketing for the foundation.

One of the highlights of the weekend will be an airport- and city-sponsored flight for eight local WWII veterans at 5 p.m. Friday.

The B-17 is one of only 10 in flying condition in the country, and the B-24J and full dual control P-51C Mustang are the sole remaining examples of their type flying in the world. There will be additional WWII aircraft, tanks and machines on display.

At Orange Airport, Dave Bramhall of Phillipston stepped into the role of an Army Air Corps officer on Wednesday to re-enact the Feb. 3, 1945, mission briefing given to the Corps' 379th Bomb Group on the morning of its 275th bombing mission. He was scheduled to repeat the briefing on Thursday and Friday in Orange.

"The B-17 & B-24 were the backbone of the American effort during the war from 1942 to 1945 and were famous for their ability to sustain damage and still accomplish the mission," according to the foundation. "Despite the risks of anti-aircraft fire, attacking enemy fighters, and the harrowing environment of sub-zero temperatures, many B-17s and B-24s safely brought their crews home. The P-51 Mustang was affectionately known as the bombers' 'Little Friend' — saving countless crews from attacking Axis fighters."

In Worcester, hours of ground tours and display are 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The cost is $12, $6 for children under 12. WWII veterans may tour the aircraft at no cost.

Visitors may take a 30-minute flight aboard the B-17 or B-24 for $425 per person. Visitors can get "stick time" in the P-51 flights for $2,200 for 30 minutes or 3,200 for a full hour. For reservations and information on flight experiences call (800) 568-8924.